Museums, Aviles

This Modernist building in the neo-Gothic style consists of a castle, church and stately mansion, and is the site of the Los Caminos Museum. This monument was designed by Gaudí himself in 1887, although it was ultimately completed by the architect Luis de Querejeta. http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/leon/palacio_episcopal.html

Most of the 1,200 objects on display in this museum date from the period between the Upper Palaeolithic and the Iron Age. http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/museos/cantabria/museo_de_prehistoria_y_arqueologia_de_cantabria.html

The Cantabrian Maritime Museum is in Santander Bay. It is an attractive, modern building, and was born as a tribute to this northern Spanish region and its sea. Over 3,000 square metres, it aims to show the relationship between man and the maritime world throughout history. http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/museos/cantabria/museo_maritimo_del_cantabrico.html

This exhibition is an outstanding testament to the quality of Spanish sculpture from the Middle Ages through to the 19th century.Its collection includes a range of sculptures (altarpieces, choir stalls, funerary monuments, processional statues...) and materials (wood, bronze, stone, clay and ivory). http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/museos/valladolid/museo_nacional_colegio_de_san_gregorio.html

The Ría de Bilbao Maritime Museum was opened in 2003. Designed by the architect Juan Francisco Paz, the museum is located under the Euskalduna Bridge. The building, with a surface area of 7,000 square metres, is built using stone, steel and wood, materials that recall the ones used in shipbuilding. The lobby is the pivotal point of the whole inner space, as it provides access to the exhibition area, the store, coffee shop, workshops and media library. The outside area of the museum is the old dry docks of the former Astilleros Euskalduna shipbuilders and has a surface area of 20,000 square metres. http://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/en/new-architecture/ria-de-bilbao-maritime-museum

The origin of the current museum is in the first Fine Arts Museum, founded in 1908 and opened in 1914 and the Modern Art Museum opened in 1924. Both institutions and their collections were united in 1945, the year that the old building was constructed. The collection of the Fine Arts Museum, which opened in 1914, brings together over seven thousand works of art, including paintings, sculptures, works on paper and applied arts, with an outstanding heritage spanning from the twelfth century to the present. It contains important examples of ancient, modern and contemporary painting and has a special interest in the Spanish school of art and in Basque artists, by whom it has a large collection of works. https://www.bilbaoturismo.net/BilbaoTurismo/en/other-museums/museum-of-fine-arts

Designed by Canadian American architect Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao building represents a magnificent example of the most groundbreaking 20th-century architecture. With 24,000 m2, of which 9.000 are dedicated to exhibition space, the Museum represents an architectural landmark of audacious configuration and innovating design, providing a seductive backdrop for the art exhibited in it. Altogether, Gehry’s design creates a spectacular sculpture-like structure, perfectly integrated within Bilbao’s urban pattern and its surrounding area. https://www.guggenheim-bilbao.eus/en/the-building

Located in a 16th century manor house, the museum has a permanent collection of furniture, ceramics, glass and clocks displayed in situ to recreate the decor of an 18th century manor house https://www.travel-in-portugal.com/attractions/biscainhos-museum.htm

Standing in the Cristina Enea Park, the building is presently occupied by the Fundación Cristina Enea, created to raise awareness on environmental issues and sustainability. The present distribution of the mansion, which dates from 1890, is the work of Jose de Osinalde. Today is ground floor is occupied by the Fundacion Cristina Enea. Entering through the front door, you will come to the reception and the large wooden stairway. The second floor houses the office ones used by the Duke of Mandas and two exhibition spaces. Lastly, the building has a gallery for traveling exhibitions that connect the main building to an educational room in the former chapel. There is also a rest area for visitors. https://www.sansebastianturismo.com/en/to-do/culture-art-architecture/mansions-and-castles

The Würth Museum has been designed as a 20th-21st avant-garde international contemporary arts scenario. Here the works belonging to the Würth España collection will be exhibited, as well as those of the Würth Collection from Germany, considered one of the main ones in Europe and collected thanks to the initiative of Professor Dr. h.c. Reinhold Würth since the 1960s. https://lariojaturismo.com/en/community/larioja/resource/museo-wurth-la-rioja/12971336-6c8b-4b3e-a394-af8e4f8a80f4

The Military Museum of Porto (Museu Militar do Porto) is housed in a 19th century building in the Bonfim district of Porto, in what was formerly the headquarters of the feared secret police - PIDE (Polícia Internacional e de Defesa do Estado) during the time of Salazar and the Estado Novo (New State). https://www.portugalvisitor.com/portugal-museums/porto-museumilitar

A building designed by Rafael Moneo, which holds a contemporary art collection that includes artists such as Tàpies, Picasso, Kandinsky and Chillida. It is also home to a major photo collection. http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/museos/navarra/museo-universidad-navarra.html

Created in 1916 and deeply remodelled between 2001 and 2003, Grão Vasco Museum was established in the Três Escalões Palace, next to the Viseu Cathedral, where the old seminary used to be. http://www.centerofportugal.com/grao-vasco-museum/

Madrid's Royal Palace was built in the 18th century by order of Philip V on the site of the old Alcázar fortress, a former Moorish castle. Sachetti began the works in 1738, and the building was completed in 1764. Sabatini designed the southeast wing and the great staircase, or staircase of honour. It has a square floor plan with a large central courtyard. The Puerta del Príncipe gateway on the east side gives access to the central courtyard. The Sabatini and Campo del Moro Gardens are among the Palace's other attractions, as well as its several different façades. There is some debate as to its artistic style; it is thought by some experts to belong more to the Baroque, and by others to the Neo-classical style. Of particular note among its numerous rooms are the Royal Guards' Room, the Columns Room, the Hall of Mirrors and King Charles III's room. It also contains paintings by Velázquez, Goya, Rubens, El Greco and Caravaggio. http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/arte/monumentos/madrid/palacio_real.html

The stunning Palacio de Cibeles is not only the headquarters of Madrid City Council, it is also home to CentroCentro. A recent addition to the renowned Paseo del Arte, the cultural centre boasts a packed programme of activities that revolve around the city and includes exhibitions, workshops, conferences and concerts. Next to the entrance hall, where you’ll find interactive information screens, there is a colourful lounge where visitors can sit back and read, connect to WiFi or enjoy some people-watching through the large windows that look out onto Plaza de Cibeles. The building has two restaurants: Colección Cibeles on the ground floor and Palacio de Cibeles on the 6th. Both are open Monday to Sunday. Also on the sixth floor is Terraza Cibeles, a great rooftop bar where you can relax with a pre-dinner drink or mid-afternoon snack as you take in the wonderful views of the Plaza de Cibeles and the Madrid skyline. For even more breathtaking vistas, head up to the Mirador observation deck on the 8th floor. https://www.esmadrid.com/en/tourist-information/centrocentro-palacio-de-cibeles

Aveiro Museum is one of the centrepieces of this picturesque historical city in west-central Portugal. The museum encompasses the buildings of the Jesus Monastery, with its church, cloisters and other convent buildings, and was established as long ago as 1911. http://www.ezportugal.com/aveiro-portugal/attractions-aveiro-portugal/museum-aveiro-portugal

This gallery in Madrid has the most complete collection of Spanish painting from 11th-18th centuries, and numerous masterpieces by great universal artists such as El Greco, Velázquez, Goya, Bosch, Titian, Van Dyck and Rembrandt. The quality and variety of its collection makes the Prado one of the world's best-endowed museums. It combines a first-class collection of Spanish painting, the most important works of the Flemish and Italian schools, and various fine examples of the German, French and English schools. It is home to numerous masterpieces of universal art such as Las Meninas by Velázquez, the two Majas by Goya, Nobleman with his hand on his chest by El Greco, the Garden of Delights by Bosch, and The Three Graces by Rubens, among other priceless pieces. Although the museum was created to house primarily works of painting and sculpture, it also contains major collections of drawings, engravings, coins and medals, as well as items of clothing and decorative art. http://www.spain.info/en/que-quieres/arte/museos/madrid/museo_nacional_del_prado.html

Restored in the 19th century and classified National Museum, it presents 1000 years of history and offers visitors a rich decorative ensemble, as well as an impressive collection of Gobelins tapestries from the 16th to the 19th century. http://www.pau-pyrenees.com/home/notre-patrimoine/une-touche-de-culture/musee-national-du-chateau-de-pau

The Musée des Beaux-Arts of Bordeaux exhibits works from the biggest names in European art, as well as artists from Bordeaux, coming from several periods of time and various schools. http://au.france.fr/en/discover/musee-beaux-arts-bordeaux-1

In addition to Degas's masterpiece " The Cotton Office in New Orleans" , the museum presents a very fine collection of paintings from Flemish, Dutch, Italian, Spanish and French schools from the 15th to the 20th century. It is the second museum of Aquitaine by the richness of its collections. http://www.pau-pyrenees.com/home/notre-patrimoine/une-touche-de-culture/musee-des-beaux-arts

Imbued with a long history, the Porte Cailhau offers a magnificent view of Bordeaux. Despite its age (just imagine – it dates from 1494!) this large, beautiful monument remains practically unchanged. It was built to commemorate Charles VIII's victory at Fornovo (Italy). This French king has left his mark on the tower since his likeness decorates a niche on the river side and a notice ask visitors to pay attention to the lintel and reminds them that Charles VIII died from walking quickly into just such a lintel... The Port Cailhau, thirty-five metres tall, was integrated into the city walls. In 1864, it was rented by a public letter writer and a person whose job was to weigh salt. They were both evicted in order to renovate the monument. There is a magnificent view of the oldest bridge in Bordeaux, the Pont de Pierre, from here. An exhibition displays the tools and materials used for construction purposes at the time the Porte Cailhau was built and an audio-visual presentation pieced together from old films immerses us in the world of stone masonry. https://www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk/offre/fiche/porte-cailhau/PCUAQU033FS00044

Book a tasting and discover the incredible diversity of wines produced at Chateau Prieuré Lichine Although Benedictine monks were the first to cultivate vines here, the chateau is named after an indefatigable traveller, Alexis Lichine, became owner in 1951. Since 1999, the chateau has been under the ownership of the Balande family, who have taken steps to modernise this historically unconventional estate. After learning about the extraordinary history of this Fourth Growth chateau, visitors are invited to discover the art of producing fine wine. In the heart of a unique, fascinating terroir, contemporary winegrowing techniques (including a resolutely modern cellar building) are at the forefront of production at Chateau Prieuré Lichine... https://www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk/offre/fiche/chateau-prieure-lichine/DEGAQU033FS0001B

Since June 1, 2016, Bordeaux has a contemporary monument, which illustrates the city's dedication to the fruit of the vine: La Cité du Vin.The purpose of this museum is to create a space where sensory experiences are centered wholly around wine. This site is fully dedicated to this "nectar," as a living piece of French history and culture http://au.france.fr/en/discover/visit-cite-vin-bordeaux-0

More than 300 automated models of famous people, historic scenes of life in La Rochelle and animated display cases to enchant both old and young visitors alike. . Your visit will also take you to a reconstruction of Montmartre with its 1900s atmosphere with artists, musicians http://www.holidays-la-rochelle.co.uk/what-to-see-and-do/discover-la-rochelle/monuments-to-visit/123305-musee-des-automates-et-modeles-reduits

This is an old Gothic building which dates back to the 13th and 14th century. Its altarpiece is a superb example of Spanish Renaissance sculpture carved in alabaster by Damián Forment between 1520 and 1533, representing the Passion of Christ. http://www.huescaturismo.com/en/monumental-detalle/7/the-diocesan-cathedral-museum/

Explore the Port Musée (Maritime Museum) in Douarnenez relating the maritime history of Europe, Asia and further afield. Get aboard the four floating boats! http://www.brittanytourism.com/to-see-to-do/other-activities/le-port-musee

Commonly known as the House of the Pilori, the only wooden house in Vienna built in the 15th century supports one of the oldest Viennese façades. http://www.monweekendavienne.com/culture/sites-et-monuments/maison-du-pilori#.WkoOn1T1XLY

In the heart of the medieval quarter, the Château des ducs de Bretagne welcomes the Nantes Museum of History, whose scenography offers a walking tour punctuated with 1 150 objects as well as interactive multimedia displays that are aesthetic, fun, and educational. https://www.nantes-tourisme.com/en/heritage/chateau-des-ducs-de-bretagne-musee-d-histoire-de-nantes

Museum of fine arts in Nantes was founded in the early nineteenth century and has since been considered one of the largest and best museums in France, outside Paris. Since 1804, this Museum houses a unique collection of sculptures and paintings that were created from the XII century to the beginning of XX century. http://worldtourisminfo.com/france/2775-Fine-arts-Museum-of-Nantes-photo-description-Musee-des-BeauxArts-de-Nantes.html

This museum combines art and multimedia exhibits in tribute to the immortal character created by Miguel de Cervantes. The different exhibitions in the centre are dedicated to Cervantes' famous novel, Don Quixote. Here you can see a montage in which 10 characters from the novel have a conversation. http://www.spain.info/en_IN/que-quieres/arte/museos/ciudad_real/museo_del_quijote.html

A community art centre joining a museography area, a creative art space and a temporary exhibition hall. The Art Centre of Caden is not only a museum displaying thetoy farms designed by Albert Sevestre, but also a venue for exhibits and activities. https://www.rochefortenterre-tourisme.bzh/ln/en/discover/heritage-museums/museum-prehistory-megaliths-brittany/?tif_r=97771fc9-2b46-483c-a676-398565860397&Centre-culturel-les-Digitales

Located at the mouth of the river Penfeld, the Château de Brest is the oldest monument in Brest. Strategically placed, this military fortress has over 1,700 years of history in its original role - from the Roman castellum to Vauban's citadel that stands proudly on the opposite river bank to the Tour Tanguy. Classified as a monument historique in 1923, it is the oldest castle still in use with the French Navy still operating here. Today, it is also home to the National Naval Museum with lots of exhibits looking at the history of the Brest arsenal and has recently begun showing some shipbuilding exhibits in its dungeon. http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/guides/france/brittany/brest/attractions/chateau-de-brest

The new home of the Lleida Diocesan and District Museum opened its doors to the public in November 2007, becoming the city's flagship museum. Visitors to its more than 7000 square metres of exhibition space are plunged into the history of Lleida. A story which begins with prehistory and continues up to the modern era. http://www.turismedelleida.cat/viure-a-lleida-en/el-museu-de-lleida